Oil-purifying apparatus for hydrocarbon engines



Dec 6, 1927'. 1,651,495

J. A. WATSON OIL PURIFYING APPARATUS FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Filed Au;:.25. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,495

J. A. wA'rsoN OIL PURIFYING APPARATUS FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Filed Aug. 25. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. WATSON, OF SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND.

OIL-PURIFYING APPARATUS FOR HYDROQARIBON ENGINES.

Application, filed August 25, 1925. Serial No. 52,456.

This invention relates to oil purifying apparatus for hydrocarbon engines of the type illustrated in my Patent No. 1,359,453, No-

vember 16, 1920. The object of the invention is to incorporate in such apparatus a filter designed to operate in unison with the changes in pressure within the apparatus whereby the alterations in pressure normally required to circulate the oil and extract the 1 volatile impurities may be utilized to force the oil through the filtering medium rapidly and thus complete the purification of the oil by removing any solid substances, such as particles of metal or carbon. It will be understood that the apparatus withdraws impure oil from the oiling system and returns the oil, refined and filtered, to the system.

Another object is to provide a suitably small filter between the oil refiner and the main oil reservoir or crank case and force the oil through the same by air pressure, it being understood that a gravity filter suitable for clarifying the oil would be too large to be accommodated under the hood of the usualautomobile engine.

The invention is illustrated in panying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of' the refining device including the filter;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views of one of the valves showing the valve in difierent positions, the sections being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 4;

Fig. 4. is a sectional View on the line 44 of Figure 1; K

Fig. 5 is a section through the casing of the upper valve shown in Figure 1;

. Fig. 6 is a detail of the device for holding the filter pad in position, Fig. 7 is a side View of a hydrocarbon engine with the apparatus applied;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the aerating device; and

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9- -9 of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates an oil refining device which, in so far as the operation of the refining means is concerned, operates substantially as described in the above mentioned Patent No. 1,359,453. The casing A, which may be constructed in sections bolted together as shown in the drawing, comprises a separating chamber B, an intermittent vacuum chamber C, a second intermittent vacuum chamber D and a discharge chamber E. The chamber B is conthe accom stantly under sub-atmospheric pressure. This is conveniently accomplished by connectmg the chamber by, means of the pipe 10 with the intake of the engine above the throttle valve 12. By reason of the vacuum, oil is drawn or sucked into the chamber B from the crank case or other'part of the lubricating system through pipe 13. As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, a valve casing 14 is connected .to the pipe 13 and a pipe 13 connected to the lower end of the valve casing extends into the oil, represented at 15 in the lower part of the crank case or reservoir 16. The valve casing has a port 17 through which air enters and passes down through an inner tube 18 to be discharged near the lower end of the pipe 18 which is slightly above the bottom of the pipe 13. The ad- I mission of air is controlled by a suitable valve 19 and the lower end of the tube 18 is preferably below the normal level of the oil in the reservoir, although not necessarily so.

The suction in pipe13 draws oil from the crank case and also draws more or less air from the lower end of the pipe or tube 18, which air in bubbles rises with the oil and flows into the refining chamber B through pipe 13. Openings 20 in the body of the valve 14 permit the air and oil to pass from the pipe 13 to the pipe 13. One eifect of the air is to lighten the column of oil and cause it to fiow more freely into the refining chamber. A second advantage of this arrangement is that the air by reason of its intimate mixture with the oil absorbs some of the gasoline, water or other volatile diluents of the oil and thus aids in refining the oil. This effect is enhanced by heating the air and oil in its passage to the refining chamber, as may be done by the coil 21 encircling the exhaust manifold 22 or in any other suitable manner.

In the upper part of the chamber B there is preferably arranged a series of perforated plates 23 for the purpose of breaking up the oil into drops and exposing a large surface to the action of the vacuum. The oil is discharged on to the upper plate by the noazle 24. In the lower part of the chamber B 1s a float 25 which carries a stem 26 on the upper end of which is preferably arranged a Valve 27 to close the port 28 .connected with the exhaust means should the oil rise too high in the chamber due to any defect in the working of the apparatus. This would prevent any oil from being drawn into the intake of The chamber G is alternately connected with the exhaust means and with the atmosphere, according to the position of the va ve 31 which is operated by a lever 32 the free end of which lies between shoulders 33, 34 on the float stem 26. When oil has accumulated in the chamber B suflicient to raise the float as "shown in Figure 1, the valve lever 32 is raised and the chamber C is thereby placed in communication with the exhaust means through pipe 35, the valve being in the position shown in Fi ure 5. The chamber C is thus exhausted 0 air through the pipe 36, equalizing the pressures in chambers B and C and permitting the oil to flow into the chamber C. When the float descends the valve is turned so that air flows through it from the air inlet 37 and through the pipe 36, raising the pressure in chamber C to normal and closing the oil dump valve 30.

I provide means for filtering the refined oil in its passage from the chamber 0 back to the crank case and also provide pressure for forcing the oil through the filter. This is accomplished by arranging the filter between the chambers C and D and alternating the pressures in these chambers so that when atmospheric pressure exists in G, sub-atmospheric pressure revails in D and vice versa. As a filter shou d be accessible for cleanin and for renewing the filtering medium, preferably connect the filter outside the easing A although it is obvious that it might be arran ed within the casing. As shown, the filtering medium 40 is in the form of a fiat horizontal pad of felt or other suitable material resting upon an internal flange 41' in a casin 42. A frame or spider 43 1s arranged to ar on the outer edge of the filter pad to clamp it on the ledge 41. A removable cover 44 carries a screw 45 which bears centrally upon the frame 43. It will be evident that the filter may be removed almost instantly by removing the cover 44 and the frame 43.

When the chamber C is under atmospheric pressure, a partial vacuum exists in the chamber D causing the oil to flow under pressure through channel 46 into the casing 42 above the filter pad 40. The atmospheric pressure forces the oil throughthe filter pad and through the tube 47 into the chamber D which is under sub-atmospheric pressure. When the pressures are reversed and a partial vacuum prevails in the chamber 0, the tube 47 is closed by the valve 48.

Means for creating alternately atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure in the chamber C have been described above. Any suitable valve arrangement may be used to create alternately atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure in the chamber D. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a valve casing 50 is connected with the wall of the chamber C and the interior of the casing is connected with the interior of the chamber C by means of the passage 51. When a vacuum prevails in chamber 5 the valve 52 is raised as shown in Figure 2 by air pressure entering beneath it through the openings 53 and when atmospheric pressure revails in the chamberC the valve drops y its own weight, aided if necessary by a spring 54. When the valve is raiser the interior of the chamber D is in communication with the atmosphere by means of pipe 55, branch 56, groove 57 and an air port 58 in the valve casing 50. When air is admitted to the chamber C the valve 52 drops as shown in Figure 3, and the chamber D is placed in communication with the exhaust pipe 10 through pipe 55, branch 59, groove 60, in valve 52 and exhaust pipe 35 which connects with said groove 60. When chamber D is under sub-atmospheric pressure the oil drawn into it is retained therein by outlet valve 61 which closes due to atmospheric pressure in the chamber E The refined and purified oil drains from the chamber E throu h outlet 62 and returns to any suitable part 0% the crank case through the return pipe 63.

The operation of the float controlled refining device is substantially the same as the operation of the apparatus shown and described in Patent No. 1,359,453. The operation may be aided however by aerating the oil as it is drawn from the crank case which lightens the column of oil, permitting it to flow freely to the higher level of the refiner and the air also aids in removing volatile impurities. A very small amount of air is sufiicient for this purpose and it is immediately drawn from the refining chamber B into the intake of the engine through the pipe 10 without materially affecting the vacuum in the chamber B. The amount of air can be regulated by means of the needle valve 19 which can be locked in any set position by the lock nut 19".

In the refinin process the oil is heated and in this con ition it is less viscous and will flow more freely through a suitable filtering medium. The flow of oil through a suitable filter, however, would not be sulficiently rapid to keep pace with the refiner if the oil were simply under the influence of gravity and hence I have arranged to have the oil flow through the filter under air pressure with reduced pressure below, this being accomplished by interposing the filter between the chambers G and D and casing is easily accessible.

alternating the pressure in these chambers so that when atmospheric pressure prevails in C, sub-atmospheric pressure will prevail in D and vice versa. The filtering medium is substantially level so that the air pressure will be maintained on it so long as a film' of'oil remains on top of the pad. It will be obvious that the filter pad may be removed and cleaned or replaced in a few moments as the removable cap for the filter This cap is shown as secured by screws but it may be clamped in place by any suitable means. The cap should of course have an airtight connection with the filter casing as the interior of the filter casing is alternately under vacuum and air pressure. Any reversefiow of the oil through the filter, however, is prevented by the valve 48.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an oil purifying apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, the combination of two chambers, means for producing atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure alternately in ach chamber and for simultaneously producing atmospheric pressure in one.chamber and sub-atmospheric in the other chamber, of a filter arranged to receive oil from one chamber and to deliver filtered oil to the other chamber.

2. In an oil purifying apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, the combination of two chambers, means for producing atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure alternately in each chamber and for simultaneously producing atmospheric pressure in one chamber and sub-atmospheric in the other chamber, of a filter arranged toreceive oil from one chamber and to deliver filtered oil to the other chamber, and means for delivering oil intermittently toone of said chambers, whereby the oil is forced through the filter by atmospheric pressure.

3. In anoil purifying apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, the combination of two chambers, means for producing atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure alternately in each chamber and for simultaneously producing atmospheric pressure in one chamber and sub-atmospheric in the other chamber, of a filter arranged to receive oil from one chamber and to deliver filtered oil to the other chamber, said filter having a horizontal filtering diaphragm whereby pressure is maintained on the oil so long as there is oil above the diaphragm. i

4. In an oil purifying apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, the combination of two chambers, means for producing atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure alternately in each chamber and for simultaneously pro-,

ducing atmospheric pressure inone chamber and sub-atmospheric in the .other chamber, of a filter arranged to receive oil from one chamber and to deliver filtered oil to the other chamber, and a casing for said filter offset from said chambers in communication with the lower part of one chamber and arranged to deliver oilto the other chamber.

'5. In an oil refining apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, the combination with a refining chamber, a conduit connecting said chamber with means to produce sub-atmospheric pressure therein, a conduit supplying lubricating oil to said chamber, a second chamber into which the refined oil is dis charged from the refining chamber, a filter in open,co1nmunication with said second chamber, a third chamber into which oil passes from the filter, inlet and outlet valves.

for said third chamber, and means for producing alternately atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure in said third chamber.

6. In an oil refining apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, an upper and a lower chamber, a filter arranged in a passage between said chambers, inlet and discharge valves for the lower chamber, means for creating atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure in the upper chamber, and means for creating sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressure in the lower chamber, the like pressures alternating in the two chambers.

7. In an oil refining apparatus for hydrocarbon engines, an upper and a lower chamber, a filter arranged in a passage between said chambers, inlet and discharge valves for the lower chamber, means for creating atmospheric and sub-atmospheric pressure in the upper chamber, and means for creating sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressure in the lower chamber, the like pressures alternating in the two chambers, and a valve controlled by the pressures in the upper chamber and adapted to control the pressures in the lower chamber.

8. The combination with a hydrocarbon engine having an oiling system, of anoil re fining device connected with said system andcomprising a casing, a connection between said casing and the intake of the engine for drawing off volatile impurities from the oil, a filter in communication with said casing and arranged to receive the refined oil therefrom, and suitable valve devices and connections with the engine intake and the atmosphere for periodically creating atmospheric pressure above and reduced pressure below the filter whereby, successive charges of the oil are forced through the filter by atmospheric pressure, and means for conducting the refined filtered oil back to the oiling system.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JAMES A. WATSON. 

